Tennis: New Zealand to play Pakistan in Myanmar

New Zealand will take on Pakistan in Myanmar in their second round Asia/Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie after it was moved from Pakistan for security reasons.

Dan King-Turner, Artem Sitak, Marcus Daniell and Sebastian Lavie make up the New Zealand team for the tie, which will be held at the Pun Hlaing Golf and Country Club grasscourts in Yangon, Myanmar on April 5-7.

Lavie has just turned 20 and has an ATP singles ranking of 797. He Joined the Mouratoglou Academy in France aged 11 and has reached a number of Futures singles quarter-finals. He has several Futures doubles finals appearances to his credit, and one title.

"I'm happy with the team I've got,'' captain Alistair Hunt said. "We didn't know where we were going for a while. It's a bit out of leftfield to play in Burma (Myanmar). I guess it's on grass to suit their No 1. Maybe it's a smart move for them, but it is what it is and we'll have to get on with it.

"I'm happy with Seb in the team. He's based in and playing in Europe a lot. He's next cab off the rank with his ranking and knows how to compete.''

New Zealand thrashed Lebanon 5-0 in their first-round tie and will take on a Pakistan side who will probably be led by Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, who has a world doubles ranking of 14. He was as high as No 8 in 2011 and played in the 2010 US Open doubles final.

The winner will take on Thailand or Philippines in the Asia/Oceania Group II final in September.